MileGrade

EPA ratings · 1997 · Mercedes-Benz · S-Class

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Fuel Economy

EPA rates the 1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class's 7 trims from 14 to 18 MPG combined, S600 to S320. The table below prices every trim per mile at a fuel price and mileage you can change.

EPA ratings by trim

1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class trims and EPA ratings
TrimEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombined
S320 · Premium3.2 L, 6 cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive152218 MPG
S320 · Premium3.2 L, 6 cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive152218 MPG
S420 · Premium4.2 L, 8 cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive142016 MPG
S500 · Premium5 L, 8 cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive141916 MPG
S500 Coupe · Premium5 L, 8 cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive142016 MPG
S600 · Premium6 L, 12 cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive111714 MPG
S600 Coupe · Premium6 L, 12 cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive111814 MPG

City and highway are EPA's adjusted label figures; combined is the 55/45 blend printed on the window sticker. For electric and plug-in trims the MPG columns are MPGe, and the kWh per 100 miles is the figure a charging cost actually turns on; EPA measures it at the wall, so charging losses are already in it. Unrounded combined figures, where EPA publishes them: none for this model.

What the rating costs per mile

The rating divided by a price, times your miles. It starts at EIA's current U.S. averages and EPA's 15,000 miles so the right-hand column is comparable; type your own pump price, home rate and mileage over them.

Fuel cost per mile and per year for each trim at the prices and mileage above
TrimRuns onRatedPer milePer yearEPA's figure
S320Premium Gasoline18 MPG23.8¢$3,570$4,550
S320Premium Gasoline18 MPG23.8¢$3,570$4,550
S420Premium Gasoline16 MPG26.8¢$4,016$5,150
S500Premium Gasoline16 MPG26.8¢$4,016$5,150
S500 CoupePremium Gasoline16 MPG26.8¢$4,016$5,150
S600Premium Gasoline14 MPG30.6¢$4,590$5,850
S600 CoupePremium Gasoline14 MPG30.6¢$4,590$5,850

Per mile = price ÷ rated MPG (gasoline) or price per kWh × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 (electricity). Per year = per mile × miles. EPA's figure is its own annual fuel cost at 15,000 miles, 55% city, and the national price in force when the file was built; it will differ from the middle columns whenever the price here differs. A plug-in hybrid is shown once on each fuel; its real cost sits between them, by how much of its driving is on the battery.

Fuel only — before depreciation, insurance, maintenance or tires, which the True Cost per Mile Calculator adds. Most drivers land below the rating; the True MPG Calculator measures your own from two fill-ups.

EPA's own figures, and why they differ

The “EPA's figure” column is EPA's annual fuel cost from the same file: 15,000 miles, 55% city, and the national fuel price fueleconomy.gov was using on the day the file was built (2026-09-29). fueleconomy.gov recomputes its page every week at the current price, so its number and the file's drift apart between file dates; the middle columns here use a price you can see and change, which is the only honest way to compare two cars. EPA also prints a five-year “you save/spend” against the average new vehicle (spends $10,750 for the S320); it rests on the same assumptions and is not repeated here as a result.

Every figure on this page is a rating, not a measurement of any particular car. The site never calls a rating wrong; it shows what your own price and miles do to it. See the model on fueleconomy.gov.

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class: 2027, 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994.

Related tools

Informational only — published averages for scale and comparison, not a quote for any pump, utility or vehicle. Your own price is the one that counts, and every calculator on this site takes it as an input.

Ratings: U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, fueleconomy.gov vehicles.csv dated 2026-09-29 (EPA record ids 13636, 13637, 13638, 13639, 13494, 13640, 13495). Prices: EIA, U.S. regular gasoline week of October 19, 2026; U.S. residential electricity August 2026. Snapshots refreshed monthly.